Mory Kante dead: African singer dies aged 70 in Guinea

Singer Mory Kante, who helped bring African music to world audiences, has died in Guinea aged 70

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The star was credited with bringing African music to world audiences with hits including Yeke Yeke.

He died in hospital on Friday in the Guinea capital, Conakry, and the sad news was confirmed his son Balla Kanté.

Balla told the AFP news agency his father died from health problems which had been left untreated due to the coronavirus outbreak.

He said: "He suffered from chronic illnesses and often travelled to France for treatment but that was no longer possible with the coronavirus.

"We saw his condition deteriorate rapidly, but I was still surprised because he'd been through much worse times before."

Mory Kanté died in hospital on Friday in Guinea capital, Conakry

Both a musician and a singer, he was best known for his 1988 chart-topper Yeke Yeke which became a number one hit in countries across Europe.

In addition to singing, he was accomplished on the guitar, the kora harp and the balafon.

Guinea's singer Mory Kante performs during the 46th session of the International Carthage festival at the Roman theatre in Carthage, near Tunis, on July 13, 2010. AFP PHOTO/FETHI BELAID (Photo credit should read FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images)

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